Jaywalking refers to a pedestrian who enters a roadway (usually to cross to the other side) in a place where there is no marked crosswalk or unmarked (but legally recognized) crosswalk. Jaywalking can be dangerous because vehicles may not have an obligation to yield to pedestrians where there is no crosswalk.

White painted lines generally designate a marked crosswalk where drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians. Pedestrians may also have the right of way at stop sign intersections and alleyway entrances where a sidewalk is interrupted, for example—even if there are no painted lines or crosswalk markings.

Although jaywalking tickets or citations are usually not as significant as traffic violations, there may be a fine attached to a ticket or citation—especially if the pedestrian does not accept the police officer’s admonishment about the dangers of jaywalking.

In Wyoming, jaywalking is not specifically defined in state statutes, but pedestrians are generally required to obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available. Under Wyoming Statute § 31-5-602, pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway if they are crossing a road at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crosswalks and at intersections with stop signs or where sidewalks are interrupted, even if there are no painted lines. However, outside of these areas, vehicles are not required to yield to pedestrians. While jaywalking may not carry penalties as severe as other traffic violations, fines can still be imposed for pedestrians who fail to adhere to these rules. The exact fine for jaywalking can vary by municipality within the state, and a warning or citation may be issued by law enforcement officers to pedestrians who violate these regulations.